Your Neighbor: Donald Dymes has seen plenty in 60 years of volunteer firefighting

MUNNSVILLE >> Donald Dymes has seen both triumph and tragedy in his nearly 60 years with the Munnsville Volunteer Fire Department.

One of the closest calls in those six decades was March 29, 1962, when the firefighters found their truck stuck in mud while the deadly flames of a grass fire closed in around them.

Dymes recalled it was a hot and dry day, and there were scattered grass fires around Madison County keeping area firefighters busy. They were called to a fire on Streeter Road in the village, and found a relatively routine grass fire had suddenly been accelerated by the explosion of several shacks where gasoline was stored in open wash tubs.

They maneuvered their 1955 FWD/American Fire Apparatus engine down a dirt road to get closer to the blaze, now also nearing a home, and drove over a hump in the road before stopping to fight the fire. Their valiant efforts failed, however, as that gasoline-driven blaze continued to grow to an overwhelming size. The fire was coming closer and closer to their truck, so they decided to back it up the road out of the path of the flames.

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Unfortunately, their side of that hump was slick clay, causing the truck's tires to slip -- trapping them on the fire side. The firefighters quickly reassessed the situation, and decided to drive straight ahead down the road to an open area beyond the fire. The ground ahead looked solid, Dymes recalled, and they were quickly running out of options as the flames were dangerously near.

They drove the truck forward, but suddenly sank in the mud to the frame. They tried to free the truck from the quagmire, only to find it wouldn't budge. Finally, for the safety of the firefighters, they had to abandon it and seek safety themselves.

"That was a bad day," he said. "We ended up losing the shacks, the house, and our truck."

By coincidence, they already had another truck on order that was delivered soon afterwards. They salvaged the chassis of the burned-out engine and used that for its own replacement. The cost was paid for through the insurance and sales of parts that survived the blaze, Dymes said, so the village didn't take a major financial hit in that near disaster. Most importantly, no firefighters lost their lives.

The price of a new fire truck back in those days was around $11,000.

Dymes moved to Munnsville in 1950, and said he was soon hearing inspiring stories about the local fire department from his mailman Burl Love. He joined in 1954, and now at 82 years old continues to serve the department.

"I'm still an active member, I just don't do the interior firefighting anymore," Dymes explained. He now concentrates on straightening the kinks out the water hoses and refilling the air tanks, and tries to give the younger department members the benefit of his years of experience. Sometimes, he thinks he can be a little over-enthusiastic about that advice -- or at least perceived that way.

"I think sometimes they think I'm hollering at them, but I'm just trying to jog their memories," he said of his encouragement to the younger firefighters.

Dymes recalled that in his early days with the department, training was a lot different than today. Back then, there were three basic firefighter courses, with the first two running 18 hours each in six nights of three hour sessions, and the third a total of nine hours with three nights of three hour sessions.

Today, the basic firefighter level one training alone is more than 80 hours, plus numerous specialized training areas available to firefighters who want to explore specific techniques and topics.

Dymes is also very involved in firefighter training not only in Munnsville but also on the national level. He has worked with the Instructors Conference held annually in Indianapolis since 1993, sharing his experiences with firefighters from all over the country.

After nearly six decades, Dymes said the fire department has become an irreplaceable part of his life and he has no plans to ever retire.

"It's just always been there for me," Dymes explained. "I got in there and got totally involved, not only locally but nationally. I can't imagine not being on the fire department."

The Munnsville Volunteer Fire Department hosts their annual Father's Day Chicken Barbecue today in the firemen's hall at the firehouse at 5210 S. Main St. (Route 46) at noon until 2 p.m. or sold out. The menu features a half chicken, macaroni salad, baked beans, salt potatoes, rolls and butter, ice cream, coffee, lemonade and tea.

Admission is $8.50 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-12; kids under five eat free with the purchase of an adult dinner. Halves only are also available for $5 and takeouts are available. Proceeds will benefit the Munnsville Volunteer Fire Company.

The 100th anniversary celebration will be July 12-14 behind the fire station, featuring rides and games by Ontario Amusements, firemen's pushball, an antique tractor show, deejays, a car show, live music from the Custom Taylor Band on July 13, and fireworks on July 14. Watch this paper for more details as they are announced.